Bulls sign Bogans

Shooting guard expected to bolster offense as team fleshes out 12-man roster

August 06, 2010|By K.C. Johnson, Tribune reporter

The Bulls solidified their backcourt and shooting depth Friday, signing veteran swingman Keith Bogans to a two-year contract according to a league source.

Bogans, 30, started 50 games for the Spurs last season and has averaged 7.1 points for five teams in seven NBA seasons. Bogans is a career 35.1 percent shooter from 3-point range.

Management cited improving 3-point shooting as a main offseason goal, and coach Tom Thibodeau has talked about the value of adding shooters since being hired in early June. The Bulls, who previously added sharpshooter Kyle Korver, ranked 28th in 3-point shooting last season.

The source said the two-year deal is worth roughly $2.5 million with only the first season guaranteed. Bogans has been on the Bulls' radar all summer and adds depth to a backcourt that also features new faces Ronnie Brewer and C.J. Watson.

The Bulls now have 12 players under contract, seven of whom are new. They still have a negligible amount of salary-cap space and might add a minor-minutes point guard. But the roster is basically set.

The Bulls had engaged in trade talks with the Trail Blazers for Rudy Fernandez, but Bogans' signing won't affect those because they still have cap space.

Bogans has started 227 of 504 career games, so he's comfortable in either role. On paper at least, the 6-foot-5, 215-pounder will open training camp as a reserve behind Brewer.